By Kate Rodger
Ken Loach’s lighter comedic touch, one he managed with such heart and hilarity in Looking for Eric a few years back (a film I adored) returns with his latest outing, The Angels’ Share. A tale of redemption, of friendship, and of whiskey, this film entirely charmed me.
Set round a group of mostly deadbeat Glaswegian losers, all serving community service together for their various misdemeanours, the central character of Robbie (newcomer Paul Brannigan) soon emerges. A history of teenage violence fuelled by a less than savoury upbringing, drugs and alcohol make Robbie’s future look bleakly obvious.
But with a baby on the way and a girlfriend determined to change the course of his life, Robbie gets an even bigger boost under the guidance and friendship of his supervisor Harry, who introduces him to a mystical love affair with whiskey.
This is one of the first ways Loach messes with our expectations, as we imagine Robbie’s love of a wee dram must only lead downhill. But his instant appreciation beyond the potential for inebriation, and his immediate talents for divining a good whiskey, change his life forever.
Here the film turns unexpectedly into a crime caper, laced with such a sense of a ridiculous fun and brimming over with a fresh warm humour.
Loach keeps us hanging the way through, as we cheer for Robbie never really knowing whether he’s going to make it. That combination of emotions worked a treat for me and The Angels’ Share completely won me over.
The Angel's Share
:: Director: Ken Loach
:: Starring: Paul Brannigan, Siobhan Reilly, John Henshaw, Gary Maitland, William Ruane, Jasmin Riggins, Scott Dymond, Scott Kyle, Neil Leiper, James Casey, Caz Dunlop
:: Running Time: 101 mins
:: Rating: R16- violence and offensive language
:: More information: Click here
